Mikaela Shiffrin Bib Draw Levi 2024: GEPA photos
The Slalom Season Begins
After the enormous slalom opener in Sölden, the World Cup shifts north to Levi, Finland, for the primary ladies’s slalom of the yr — and the primary slalom of an Olympic season.
Beneath Arctic twilight and the echo of reindeer bells, the world’s greatest slalom skiers return to the Levi Black slope — a technical course that calls for confidence, stability and fast reactions. Each flip issues this winter, with outcomes from the early races shaping Olympic roster selections for each nation..
Final yr’s podium — Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Katharina Liensberger (AUT), and Lena Duerr (GER) — all return, setting the stage for one more thrilling two-run battle.
Shiffrin Eyes One other Levi Victory
Mikaela Shiffrin (Stifel U.S. Ski Group) enters as probably the most adorned slalom racer in historical past with 64 World Cup victories within the self-discipline. She dominated Levi final season, profitable by almost eight-tenths of a second, and owns a document eight reindeer trophies from the Finnish venue — greater than any skier in historical past.
Regardless of season-interrupting accidents the previous two winters, Shiffrin nonetheless gained a number of races annually. Her means to adapt and discover pace underneath problem stays unmatched, making her as soon as once more the favourite.
North American Energy Builds Momentum
The Stifel U.S. Ski Group brings depth and confidence to Levi. Paula Moltzan returns after ending eighth right here final season, joined by Nina O’Brien, Katie Hensien, AJ Harm, Liv Moritz, and Elisabeth Bocock, who will make her third World Cup slalom begin.
Annika Hunt may also begin for the US, a World Cup rookie making her first profession World Cup begin — a big milestone for the 19-year-old from the Burke Mountain Academy.
Canada arrives with a powerful lineup that includes Laurence ST-Germain, the 2023 World Champion, together with Ali Nullmeyer, Amelia Sensible, and Kiki Alexander. They’ll be joined by impartial racers Sarah Bennett and Arianne Neglect, each aiming to achieve early-season expertise and factors on the demanding Levi Black slope.
In whole, 4 North American ladies scored factors in Levi final yr —two People and two Canadians. Throughout the 2025 season, eight North American ladies completed inside the highest 60 of the World Cup slalom standings, reflecting development and depth throughout each nations.
Nice Britain on the Begin Checklist
Victoria Palla may also begin, marking her ninth World Cup slalom look and including to the worldwide depth of the sector.
Champions and Contenders
Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, the 2025 World Cup slalom champion, opens her title protection in Levi. Switzerland’s Camille Rast, the 2025 slalom World Champion, additionally begins her marketing campaign as one of many favorites.
Veterans Liensberger and Duerr stay podium threats, whereas a number of youthful athletes purpose to interrupt by early within the season and construct confidence for the lengthy winter forward.
Why Levi All the time Delivers
Levi holds a particular place on the World Cup calendar — it’s the one race held above the Arctic Circle. The ambiance is not like wherever else: crisp air, agency snow, and a venue designed for efficiency underneath any mild.
The floodlights are at all times on, making a vivid, constant glow from begin to end. Even when fog rolls in — the one actual problem to visibility — the lighting system cuts by the haze, protecting the monitor sharp and the motion clear.
The primary run determines who advances to the top-30 closing, the place the beginning order reverses and the strain builds with every racer. It’s the perfect early-season showdown — a mix of pace, management, and threat that defines slalom at its greatest.
The Olympic Season Begins
This yr, each level carries additional weight. The chase for the World Cup slalom title begins right here, however so does the race for Olympic qualification. Coaches and nationwide federations will watch intently as athletes struggle for early momentum and a spot on their nation’s Cortina 2026 roster.
Shiffrin appears to begin her season with one other Levi victory. Ljutić defends her crown. Rast hunts her first win on Finnish snow. And a assured North American group arrives able to show its depth.
Course setters — First run: Klaus Mayrhofer (AUT) Second run: Alek Glebov (USA)
Beneath the Arctic lights, the Olympic slalom season begins for the athletes.
Learn how to Watch the Levi Slalom
United States: Dwell and on-demand protection will stream on Ski and Snowboard Dwell, with the primary run at 4:00 a.m. EST (1:00 a.m. PST) and the second run later within the morning.
Canada: Followers can stream reside protection on CBC Sports activities, which may also function race highlights and replays.
Nice Britain: Each runs will air reside on Discovery+, with the primary run at 9:00 a.m. and the second at 12:00 p.m. UK time.
North American and British Girls Starters in Levi
(WCSL = World Cup Begin Checklist rank. FIS Level Rank is famous for athletes not within the high 30 WCSL.)
Mikaela Shiffrin, WCSL fifth, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic
Paula Moltzan, WCSL ninth, Stifel USST, College of Vermont Ski and Snowboard Membership
Laurence St-Germain, WCSL twentieth, Alpine Canada Alpin, College of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
Ali Nullmeyer, WCSL twenty third, Alpine Canada Alpin, Middlebury School, GMVS, Atomic
AJ Harm, WCSL thirty first, FIS Rank twenty fourth, Stifel USST, Group Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
Amelia Sensible, WCSL thirty ninth, FIS Rank 28, Alpine Canada Alpin, Windermere, College of Denver, Atomic
Katie Hensien, WCSL forty third, FIS Rank 31, Stifel USST, College of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy
Elisabeth Bocock, FIS thirty seventh, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
Nina O’Brien, WCSL forty ninth, FIS Rank 47, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
Liv Moritz, FIS Rank 47, Stifel USST, College of Denver, Ski & Snowboard Membership Vail
Arianne Neglect, FIS Rank 52, CAN, Belle Neige, Atomic
Kiki Alexander, FIS Rank 57, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers
Annika Hunt, FIS Rank 85, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
Victoria Palla, FIS Rank 91, Nice Britain,
Sarah Bennett, FIS Rank 92, CAN, ACA, Membership de ski Stoneham, Québec Ski Group
